BY ADRIAN STEWART CO
MANILA — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has ordered a sweeping crackdown on substandard and failed flood control projects across the country, warning that erring contractors will not only be blacklisted from future government deals but may also face criminal charges.
In his “BBM Podcast Episode 3: Sa Likod ng SONA”, Marcos said the administration has already identified companies allegedly involved in anomalous or poorly executed flood mitigation efforts and will require them to explain how they used public funds.
“We already have some names that are coming up. First of all, corporations that, mga contractor na talagang kitang-kita na hindi maganda ang trabaho nila. We will put them on a blacklist. Hindi na sila puwedeng magkontrata sa gobyerno,” Marcos said.
“‘Pag hindi sila makapag-explain nang mabuti, we will have to take it to the next step,” he added, hinting at possible legal repercussions.
The President’s directive builds on his pronouncement during his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA), where he tasked the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Regional Project Monitoring Committee to audit all flood control projects from the past three years to determine which ones failed or remain unfinished.
Marcos said the push for accountability was prompted by the suffering of thousands of Filipinos displaced by recent typhoons — many of whom were forced to take shelter in overcrowded evacuation centers lacking basic amenities.
“Hindi natin ginagawa dapat ito sa kababayan natin. Kasalanan na ito,” he said, recalling how children slept on cold concrete floors and the sick and elderly suffered in the heat without medical support.
“They have to be told who is responsible and somebody has to answer for their suffering,” Marcos stressed.
Although he did not name specific contractors or officials, Marcos said some are already “notorious” for their track records in delivering substandard infrastructure. He made clear that political affiliations would not shield anyone from accountability.
“Sorry na lang. Hindi na kita kaalyado kung ganyan ang ginagawa mo, ayaw na kitang kaalyado,” the Chief Executive declared.
Marcos also urged the public to participate in the probe by verifying the status of flood control projects in their areas and reporting suspicious practices.
“So, that applies to anything, to all of the projects that will happen. I’m sure maraming magsusumbong diyan,” he said./PN
